Despite significant advances in the understanding of the biology of blood cancers, identification of the most effective and safe form of treatment continues to present a formidable challenge to clinicians.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the leading causes of blindness globally. It is well established that although a multifactorial disease, AMD is largely genetically driven, with the majority of attributable genetic risk being associated with loci on chromosome 1 (Chr1) and chromosome 10 (Chr10).

This studentship is open to Thai applicants only. Beta-lactams are the most widely prescribed antimicrobial class worldwide. Resistance is primarily caused when bacteria produce beta-lactamase enzymes, of which there are many different types.

The oomycete potato pathogen Phytophthora infestans has caused devastation during the Irish Potato Famine in the 1840s. P. infestans still causes major problems in the potato industry, and is mostly controlled using agrochemicals.

Supervisors; Prof Christopher Dowson, Prof Chris Schofield. This project will involve the combination of biochemical assays, design, synthesis and testing the effectiveness of new inhibitors inspired by the mode of action of β-lactams.

Several genes of the pro-inflammatory complement system, including CR1, Cr1L, Clu and C3 have been linked to AD. However, there remains a yawning gap in our understanding of how proteins derived from these genes impact risk of AD.

The important cellular entities responsible for fighting against infections in our body are the T cells. T cells are however also shown to play a central role in the development of autoimmune diseases (AIDs) as “T cell activation hijacking” is the major autoimmune reaction causing mechanism observed in several AIDs.